Chorus Now do I believe in the gods after seeing this unexpected day, and I feel my woes are lighter now that these have paid their penalty.
Adrastus O Zeus, why do men assert the wisdom of the wretched human race? On thee we all depend, and all we do is only what thou listest. We thought our Argos irresistible, ourselves a young and lusty host, and so when Eteocles was for making terms, in spite of his fair offer we would not accept them, and so we perished. Then in their turn those foolish folk of Cadmus, to fortune raised, like some beggar with his newly-gotten wealth, waxed wanton, and, waxing so, were ruined in their turn. Ye foolish sons of men! who strain your bow like men who shoot beyond their mark, and only by suffering many evils as ye deserve, though deaf to friends, yet yield to circumstances; ye cities likewise, though ye might by parley end your mischief, yet ye choose the sword instead of reason to settle all disputes. But wherefore these reflections? This I fain would learn, the way thou didst escape; and after that I will ask thee of the rest.
Messenger During the uproar which prevailed in the city owing to the battle, I passed the gates, just as the host had entered them.
Adrastus Are ye bringing the bodies, for the which the strife arose?
Messenger Ay, each of the seven chiefs who led their famous hosts.
Adrastus What sayest thou? the rest who fell—say, where are they?
Messenger They have found burial in the dells of Cithseron.
Adrastus On this or that side of the mount? And who did bury them?
Messenger Theseus buried them ’neath the shadow of Eleutherae’s cliff.
Adrastus Where didst thou leave the dead he hath not buried?
Messenger Not far away; earnest haste makes every goal look close.
Adrastus No doubt in sorrow slaves would gather them from the carnage.
Messenger Slaves! not one of them was set to do this toil.
Adrastus […]
Messenger Thou wouldst say so, hadst thou been there to see his loving tendance of the dead.
Adrastus Did he himself wash the bloody wounds of the hapless youths?
Messenger Ay, and strewed their biers and wrapped them in their shrouds.
Adrastus An awful burden this, involving some disgrace.
Messenger Why, what disgrace to men are their fellows’ sorrows?
Adrastus Ah me! how much rather had I died with them!
Messenger ’Tis vain to weep and move to tears these women.
Adrastus Methinks ’tis they who give the lesson. Enough of that! My hands I lift at meeting of the dead, and pour forth a tearful dirge to Hades, calling on my friends, whose loss I mourn in wretched solitude; for this one thing, when once ’tis spent, man cannot recover, the breath of life, though he knoweth ways to get his wealth again.
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